It was a pleasant surprise when this past week brought the first two Day Camp Applications; one from a Canadian Forces Base, the other from a church which had its first Day Camp last summer. Both of these places are in the Toronto Region so at least the Ontario team is off to a good start!
The week also brought a couple of the Program Manual Chapters, that was certainly exciting!!
Due to this flurry of activity, I took time to type up the 2017 schedule, which you can find under the “Churches and Communities” tab. It looks pretty empty right now but is still useful since it gives all next summer’s dates at a glance. I also emptied out my own very important binder that holds all the Application Forms for Team Members and host locations. After filing away all the 2016 documents I proudly placed those two 2017 forms in the correct sleeves, we are officially underway, YAY!!!
When not filing and tidying, most of the week has involved vast amounts of baking. Last Sunday evening I was unexpectedly sitting quietly at home as earlier in the day the decision had been made to cancel Crossroads due to a hair raising forecast of freezing rain followed by a deep freeze. UGH!
As I sat reading my phone “binged” with a text and there was a plea from a friend asking if I could bake breads and muffins for 20 for a staff breakfast on Thursday since the person responsible for procuring the baking had been called out of town on a family emergency. What could I say?
Thus Tuesday and Wednesday were spent mixing up batter and yeast doughs and producing Cranberry/Pecan Muffins (Gluten-free!), Cinnamon Sticky Buns, and a festive Mincemeat Wreath. In fact I prudently doubled that recipe and stashed a second one in the freezer for Christmas Morning Breakfast.
Monday and Tuesday were also largely devoted to drawing ,painting and assembling 15 cardboard figures (6 shepherds, 6 angels, three wisemen and 9 stars) for a children’s service taking place tonight, led by a clergy friend who appealed to me for some help; even though I was rather pressed for time, it was still a most enjoyable activity 😊.
Wednesday a long time friend came for lunch and as soon as she had gone thebaking got underway.
By dinnertime all was complete and everything was picked up by 745am Thursday. Of course an email then brought a last minute request for a large lemon meringue pie. AGH!!! Guess what I baked yesterday afternoon? However, since I had the oven on I made a batch of porcupines and a pan of Angel Biscuits, the latter to go along withthe Salmon Chowder, a Christmas Eve supper tradition around our house. Before I walk Wil and dash for the bus to church I thought I would share the biscuit recipe. These are really special and we can all do with extra Angel-themed foods tonight.
Christmas Blessings to all of you… I’ll be checking in next Saturday with a final post for 2016!
Angel Biscuits
- ½ cup warm water
- 1tsp. sugar
- 1 Tbsp. yeast
- 5 cups flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 Tbsp. baking Powder
- 1 tsp. soda
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup butter or margarine
- 2 cups buttermilk or yoghurt
Proof the yeast in the ½ cup of water with the 1 tsp. of sugar. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, soda ad salt. Cut in the butter. With a wooden spoon, stir in the yeast mixture and the buttermilk to form a soft dough. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead gently just until the dough comes together. Roll out to approx.. 1/2” thickness and cut into rounds with a 3” cutter or glass. Place on parchment lined trays ,cover with a tea towel and leave to rise for 45 minutes. Bake in a preheated 400º oven for 10-12 minutes or until golden. Makes approx.. 18-20
biscuits.
biscuits.